I have been on summer break, that is where. But before that, I was a busy mama, teacher, bus driver, wife, and friend. The blog didn’t win when it came deciding how to spend my free time (not that there was much of that!)

So, I’ve decided to have a summer break, fall break, Christmas break, and spring break blog. Maybe even a few posts thrown in here and there during the school year. But we all know, I am never very consistent with my posts nor do I always write about the same things.

The biggest thing I plan to post about this summer, is well, we are remodeling…..AGAIN! Oh my, and I don’t think I could really do it again after this. We have been living with my parents for 5 weeks now. So thankful for their hospitality, but I NEED MY HOUSE BACK! My parents how is tri-level and keeping up with a one year old has been a small feat in itself. We should be back home this weekend, or early next week. The house won’t be finished, but it will be livable.

So for now here are a few things I’ve enjoyed (or not enjoyed) this summer.

Our first cookout of the summer at our friends Brandon and Kynda’s house. It’s always a really fun group of people.

Since I am the yearbook sponsor, I had to finish up the yearbook so I brought along some help. Good thing John was up at the school to play with Matt!

Before the end of the school year, I had asked for a new whiteboard. Previously there was a large chalkboard. (I can’t handle nails on the chalkboard!) Allen (no other description other than, he’s the best) got right to switching them out. However, he painted the wall white and the rest of my room is a cream color. I decided I needed an accent wall. So I went with…..purple!

We’ve already went swimming and played in the sprinkler! I have two little fishies!

We got a new puppy, her name is Chloe. She is a mutt, but oh so cute. If you would like one just like her, I can steer you in the right direction.

Memorial day was fantastic. We went to FOUR cookouts! Crazy, I know. I only have one picture though. This is Brian and Tiff’s house. Brian was trying to win Annie over by taking her on a golf cart ride, and he did!

The not so fun part included Matt deciding to load the primer in the back of his Gator. It spilled everywhere. I just laughed. He’s ornery. However the next day, I noticed he PAINTED MY RECLINER, that we are storing in the barn while remodel…it was probably a good thing I didn’t notice that the same day. Kids.

The past Saturday, we went to Pawhuska. TJ turned 26 on Sunday, so we went to a tack store in Pawhuska. Such a cute little town. They had some fantastic Antique shops and we had lunch at Bad Brads. I’ll definitely visit again when The Pioneer Woman’s deli opens up!

How could we forget the goat. Annie loves the goat.

Hope everyone is having a happy Hump Day! Stay tuned for remodel posts!

In the spirit of summer, well the spirit of my last day of summer break, I thought I would give you a water park round up. Matt and I went to four different water parks, three times with friends and once with daddy-o (as Matt would say!).

In June, we went to Splash Zone in Enid. They have a good kids area, it’s not crowded, you can bring your own snacks, but it needs a little sprucing up.

In July we went to Cushing Water Park, which is really a good deal. It was the least expensive, very clean, and it had a good kids area, as well. However, it was SUPER crowded!

My favorite was Pelican Bay in Edmond. They had a lot of fun things to do including a splash pad! It was rather a bummer that you had to get out for 10 minutes EVERY hour! It was crowded too.

And Wednesday, daddy-o went with Matt and I to Sun-N-Fun in Ponca City. It has been around a while. Sun-N-Fun like Splash zone needed a little sprucing up. They did have the BEST slide and a newly renovated wave pool. However, it was the MOST expensive at $12.00!

All of the water parks are within an hour drive so it is nice to have options! I foresee us going to all of the parks again next summer. Maybe Matt will decide to venture out of the kiddie areas a little more, but then again maybe not because Annie Dale will be with us!

Teachers officially report back to work Monday, and the kids come Wednesday. I think my classroom is almost ready. Are we ever really completely ready? I say it every summer, I won’t let it creep up on me….oh, but it did!

I guess the rain, record low temps, and my Annie having the stomach bug for 6 days now, spurred this post into action.

Sometimes, I think I was born in the wrong state. I do believe if I wasn’t an Oklahoma gal, I would most definitely be a beach bum!! Seriously, I love Florida! Specifically, Destin.

I ended up in Florida, the summer after I graduated from OSU (go Pokes!). I majored in Hotel and Restaurant Administration, and I still needed to complete the internship portion to obtain my degree. It just so happened, my Aunt Judy and Uncle Dave own a home in Destin, Florida. They graciously offered me a place to live in the summer of 2007, while I completed my internship. My cousin JB lived there too, and he showed me the ropes.

I worked at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Resort and Spa. There were several interns, other than myself and three of the girls I met went to school at Texas Tech. Also, there were the bell boys, most of which were locals. We were all around the same age, so it made for a really fun summer.

When I started, I worked all the different shifts at the front desk. Let me tell ya, I wish I wrote a book. The things I saw, things I heard, oh my.

Are you digging the sweet uniforms yet? Navy blue polyester with a long sleeve gold button up. Too bad, you can’t see my sweet shoes. And yes, it was 2007 not the 90’s. And yes, it was stinkin’ hot.

After working there a couple months, I was offered a Supervisor’s position. I supervised the front desk from 3-11 in the evenings. Once again, the things I heard and saw, oh my. My favorite part of the job, was when one of the desk agents would be helping a customer and they would ask to see their boss……..and out walked a 22 year old, recent college grad. It always went over so well, especially when they were already mad at the world!

Obviously, the best part of Destin, are the white sand beaches. Oh, how I miss the beach.

I stayed in Destin from May 2007 to December 2007. After everyone went back to school, it wasn’t as fun. Also, I was offered a better paying job closer to Oklahoma so I moved. My friend Sam and I loaded up my truck, a u-haul, and headed to Texas.

Last summer, my parents took us to Destin for a vacation. It was nice to go back. Matt loved the beach.

That summer was one of the best. I’ll never forget the friends I made and the fun I had. Hopefully, I will be able to take my kids back a lot. It it truly beautiful and so fun. The restaurants, shops, beaches, just everything about it.

Hope everyone is enjoying their week! Can you believe it is July, it’s raining, and 70 degrees? WOW!

Right now, I am totally missing some Vitamin D in my life. Since last Friday, Matt had the stomach bug for one day, I had it one day, and Annie for three. We managed to make it to VBS two nights, Leonardo’s Discovery Warehouse in Enid on Monday, but I have yet to make it poolside. My nicely tanned skin is wondering what the heck is going on!

Here is a VBS pic. Matt opted to be in my group of Kindergartners and 1st Graders.

Leonardo’s…. Looks like I need to buy Matt a grocery basket.

This pic is from today, there is just something about a sleeping baby. Melts Mama’s heart. Hoping we are on the mend.

Tomorrow, we have a baby shower for my bestest friend Melanie. I am so excited for her and her growing family.

Sunday, we have my sister-in-law’s shower at the church. Busy, busy.

I have a lot of goals next week, since this week I didn’t accomplish much.

My brother and I are running The Midnight Streak 5k in OKC. I’ve always ran just never signed up for races. My brother started running to get into shape and its been rather nice to have each other for motivation. That being said, I haven’t ran since Monday, so I have got to get back on it.

Another doozie here, school starts in like a month and two days. Ah. Panic. So much to do. Three new preps next year including being the new yearbook sponsor, a new room to get ready….sigh.

And on a crazy note….this week Oklahoma has had VERY hot weather, heat advisory weather. Starting Sunday through Wednesday….highs in the lower 80’s? I’m not complaining, ok…maybe I am. I need to float in a raft in the pool and soak up major vitamin D. How’s that for goal accomplishing?

Ok, you’ve read it before on here but, our house was built in 1908 and added on several times. When we bought it, it was all wood paneling and dark carpet. We took all that out and it helped lighten the house up a lot. However, it was still so dark for my liking. The kitchen cabinets had what I would call a golden pecan stain. Very popular, like the wood paneling used to be. Anyways, here are the before and after pics.

Now, all I need is a new hood vent!

Oh, and I didn’t paint these myself (too tedious!), but I can tell you that it took a coat of primer and 3 coats of paint. I used Valspar Dove White. I am definitely pleased with the results and my kitchen is so nice and fresh now!

We had a fun 4th, even though TJ was gone from Thursday until Sunday. Luckily, he was home for Matt and Melanie’s annual 4th of July party….on July 3rd. (Sometime, I’ll have to elaborate on the Matt and Melanie, Bonnie and TJ connection….). Usually, I attend the party by myself, but I’m so glad he was there. In normal fashion, I forget to get very many good pictures. The food was great and the company even better.

On July 4th, TJ left to work the Canadian. TX rodeo. It is a big 3-day event. I would have loved to go, but 3 days in the horse trailer with two kids = crazy mama. So the kids and I had Nana and Papa over, and Mamaw Lois and Papaw Jim. We made a cake and bbq pork sandwiches. My mom brought the rest of the fixin’s.